"What a comeback" - Fans erupt as Ravindra Jadeja removes the dangerous duo of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in Nagpur Test

India’s star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja shone in the first innings of the opening Test at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on Day 1 (Thursday, February 9).

The left-arm spinner took the prized wicket of Marnus Labuschagne (49) and Steve Smith (37) as his three scalps put India in the driving seat. This came after the duo shared a crucial 82-run partnership to recover the visitors from 2/2.

While Labuschagne was stumped by debutant KS Bharat, Smith was clean-bowled by the Saurashtra all-rounder.

Star Sports

@StarSportsIndia

Back-to-back wickets from Ravi Jadeja finds the Aussies in a bit of trouble.

Tune-in to riveting action in the 1st Mastercard #INDvAUS Test on Star Sports & Disney+Hotstar. #BelieveInBlue #TestByFire

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Back-to-back wickets from Ravi Jadeja finds the Aussies in a bit of trouble. 😱

Tune-in to riveting action in the 1st Mastercard #INDvAUS Test on Star Sports & Disney+Hotstar. #BelieveInBlue #TestByFire https://t.co/z2KYiGda9l

Team India finally breathed a sigh of relief as Smith’s wicket left the Aussies struggling at 109/5 during the second session. It’s worth mentioning that Smith was dropped by Virat Kohli at first slip in the first session.

Fans were delighted to witness the 34-year-old make an excellent comeback after five months after recovering from a knee injury. They labeled him a prized possession for Team India.

Here are some of the best Twitter reactions:

Chaudhary

@Aakrosh111

SIR JADEJA ! WHAT A COMEBACK
WILL HE TAKE A FIFER?
#INDvsAUS
#BorderGavaskarTrophy

SIR JADEJA ! WHAT A COMEBACK
WILL HE TAKE A FIFER?
#INDvsAUS
#BorderGavaskarTrophy

Sumukh ⭐️⭐️

@SumukCFC

@bloys11 Jadeja is irreplaceable.

@bloys11 Jadeja is irreplaceable.

ex. capt

@thephukdi

Australia prepared for Ashwin and Akshar but not for the storm called Ravindra Jadeja.

35

5

Australia prepared for Ashwin and Akshar but not for the storm called Ravindra Jadeja. 😹😹

Shubham Jain🇮🇳

@ShubhamJain4696

Jadeja has redeemed it for India in the last 30 minutes. This one, Steve Smith, was the masterpiece @imjadeja #IndvsAus

3

Jadeja has redeemed it for India in the last 30 minutes. This one, Steve Smith, was the masterpiece @imjadeja #IndvsAus https://t.co/txewHBHNLx

Akash/-

@AkashKkrian

SIR RAVINDRA JADEJA
Dismissed

Labhushane
Renshaw
Smith

#RavindraJadeja #INDvsAUS #BGT2023

5

SIR RAVINDRA JADEJA🚀🙇🙇🙇
Dismissed ✅

Labhushane
Renshaw
Smith

#RavindraJadeja #INDvsAUS #BGT2023 https://t.co/YUpLyAHkty

Rodony 𓃬

@Rodony_

Sir Jadeja owns Smith
@imjadeja twitter.com/Rodony_/status…

Rodony 𓃬

@Rodony_

@imjadeja Jaddu Bhai aise he Wickets udani hai Smith ki

122

@imjadeja Jaddu Bhai aise he Wickets udani hai Smith ki 🔥🔥 https://t.co/WAbXHFZiKh

Sir Jadeja owns Smith 😂🔥
@imjadeja 😎🔥 twitter.com/Rodony_/status…

CricketFans

@_fans_cricket

The art of Sir Jadeja

#INDvsAUS #BGT2023

The art of Sir Jadeja

#INDvsAUS #BGT2023 https://t.co/8bd7j4O6s2

AB

@Abhyudya10

Smith preparing himself for Ashwin
Jadeja came out of the syllabus
#indvsaus

Smith preparing himself for Ashwin
Jadeja came out of the syllabus 🔥🔥
#indvsaus

abhishek agrawal🇮🇳

@abhishe92065110

@SaadIrfan258 Jadeja be like

1

@SaadIrfan258 Jadeja be like https://t.co/bIsJU6E5Jo

Ritik

@Ritik568

Sir Jadeja for a reason🛐🛐‍‍

#INDvsAUS

2

Sir Jadeja for a reason🛐🛐❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

#INDvsAUS https://t.co/qNRh3kUmUm

Manii ||

@maniix11

Jadeja to Smith

Jadeja to Smith😂👍 https://t.co/v2xioJjMJj

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Steve Smith is Ravindra Jadeja’s bunny

Ravindra Jadeja has successfully made Steve Smith his bunny in Test cricket as the Australian batter lost his wicket against the spinner for the fifth time.

For the uninitiated, he dismissed Smith thrice during Australia’s last tour of India in 2016-17, which India won 2-1 (four-Test series). He also emerged as the highest wicket-taker during that edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, scalping 25 wickets.

cric. mani7

@p_manikumaran

Ravindra Jadeja vs Steve Smith in Tests in India

12 - Inns
160 - Runs
5 - Wickets
32.00 - Avg
400 - Dot

#INDvAUS #BGT2023

Ravindra Jadeja vs Steve Smith in Tests in India

12 - Inns
160 - Runs
5 - Wickets
32.00 - Avg
400 - Dot

#INDvAUS #BGT2023

Overall, Jadeja has taken 66 wickets in 13* Tests against Australia, including three five-wicket hauls. He will look to ensure the hosts win their fifth consecutive Test series against the Aussies at home.

Meanwhile, Smith will look to fight back in the second innings. So far, he has scored 1779 runs in 15* Tests at an average of 72.58, including eight tons and five half-centuries.

As far as the match is concerned, Australia were 144/5 after 50 overs, with Peter Handscomb and Alex Carey at the crease. The visitors will look to produce a fighting total in the first innings.

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